Darwood for the first time realized that all the Pony Rider outfit was not in sight.
“Either your friends will put down their guns and come out or we’ll shoot,” snarled Darwood, fixing his gaze on Tad Butler.
“Are you so anxious to die, Curtis Darwood?” asked the lad calmly.
Darwood flushed, but the four men lowered their rifles to the ground.
“Mr. Darwood, I have something to tell you. Sit down,” went on the boy.
“I reckon we’ll do nothing of the sort.”
“Sit down, I say!”
The men obeyed reluctantly.
206“Keep them covered until they come to their senses, boys,” directed Tad. Then he went on to the men: “We don’t blame you for feeling that every man’s hand is against you; but I’m going to prove to you that ours are not. See this?” and Tad tossed to Darwood the rusty stone that he had found in the sand-bar.
“Gold! A nugget of pure gold,” breathed Darwood. “Where did you get it?”